I've been a vacation planner since 2010, but a cruise-lover since my very first one in 1996 (my Honeymoon!). Did you know that only 15% of the country has ever been on a cruise? I want to help first time cruisers of all ages discover the joy of the open ocean.

One thing I consistently hear from people who have just taken a cruise vacation, is "when can I go back?" I think many times people are genuinely surprised at how much they enjoyed their cruise! Many clients ask me to keep an eye out for a great deal on the next cruise they are interested in taking, saving them time researching deals online. 

Vacations with Noel is a boutique agency, not a huge business with dozens of agents. I'm a woman-owned business based here in southern Minnesota. This allows me to focus my time on fewer clients and their vacation needs individually. I even love to meet  clients over coffee!

Have you considered taking a cruise? There's nothing like opening your private balcony stateroom up to the warm ocean breeze on your face and its briny scent wafting up to you. I remember on our Honeymoon cruise, my husband and I would enjoy a glass of wine on our balcony each night before heading down to dinner (back then, they had set dinner times!). Now we have another cruise-lover in the family, our almost 14 year old son. He's been on six cruises in his life! 

I feel there is no other vacation like a cruise vacation. It is a fantasy you'll want to replay over and over in your head when you return. After our first one, it felt like we'd been gone for a year. It was both relaxing and invigorating - and so much fun! Make the choice to use a travel professional, and you'll immediately begin to relax and feel confident that I have your back from start to home again (and ready to book your next one!). 

A recent, unique cruise experience...

Me teaching a student English in the Dominican Rep

I just returned from a cruise to the Dominican Republic with my son. It was a very unique cruise, in that we volunteered in the local community. This new type of cruise is called "impact travel" and I'm hoping it catches on - it was wonderful! We got to work in a local, woman-owned and run business that upcycles paper and other products into goods to sell. The women their were amazing, they just wanted to connect with us and we heard their stories, many are single mothers or grandmothers. 

We also taught English in both the community and to school kids. The community English was interesting, as we weren't sure who was going to show up. I started teaching a couple of women, but by the time I was done 7 other people had joined us!

At the loc